Global Autonomous Aircraft Market By Technology (Increasingly Autonomous, Fully Autonomous), By Component (Cameras, Software, Intelligent Servos, Air Data Inertial Reference Units, Flight Management Computers, Radars & Transponders, Propulsion Systems, Actuation System), By Application (Commercial, Combat & ISR, Cargo, Passenger Air Vehicle, Personal Air Vehicle, Air Medical Services), By Region (North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Rest of the World) – Market Size & forecasting 2032

The Global Autonomous Aircraft Market report includes a global opportunity analysis and industry forecasts for the period 2023-2032. The global Autonomous Aircraft Market was valued USD 3.8 Billion in 2022 and registering a CAGR of 20.67% from 2023 to 2032. The base year considered for the study is 2022, and the forecast has been provided for the period, 2023 to 2032.

The Autonomous Aircraft Market growth is expected to gain high momentum during the forecast period due to the increasing use of automation systems across various aircraft by different industries.

ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, has defined an “autonomous aircraft” as a fully automated or unmanned aircraft that does not require pilot intervention to fly the aircraft. To some extent, the existing aircraft being used by both civil and military organizations require operators ‘ guidance and autopilot functionality. Similarly, unmanned aircraft are engineered to assist operators whenever they need it.

Segment Analysis: 

The software segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period based on components. The component-based market for autonomous aircraft is fragmented into flight management computers, air data inertial reference units, sensors, actuation systems, software, intelligent servos, cameras, radars & transponders, and propulsion systems. During the forecast period, the segment of flight management computers is anticipated to lead to the autonomous aircraft market. During the forecast period, the software segment is projected to grow at the highest rate. The most essential components that monitor and control aircraft autonomy is the flight management computer. As aircraft move towards full autonomy, higher demand is expected from software algorithms that provide instructions to the aircraft.

The fully autonomous segment is set to dominate the market during the forecast period based on technology. The autonomous aircraft market is segmented into an increasingly autonomous and fully autonomous based on technology. The fully autonomous segment is expected to grow at the highest rate owing to expanding aircraft autonomy and shifting towards aircraft in the future being completely autonomous. Military UAVs are already operating with fully autonomous capabilities at present. Due to the installation of autonomous components that have eased the workload of pilots, current commercial aircraft are becoming increasingly autonomous. The industry’s goal is to make these commercial aircraft fully autonomous and introduce new passenger and personal aircraft along with fully autonomous commercial delivery drones.

The commercial aircraft segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period based on application. The market for autonomous aircraft has been segmented and evaluated based on end-use in commercial aircraft, combat & ISR, cargo & distribution aircraft, passenger aircraft, private aircraft, air medical facilities, and others. During the forecast period, the commercial aviation segment is projected to lead the autonomous aircraft. Current commercial aircraft are being installed with components of autonomy rendering them increasingly autonomous. Increasing air passenger traffic in commercial aircraft has culminated in this segment leading the segment of the application of autonomous aircraft.

It is anticipated that North America will dominate the global autonomous aircraft market and remain dominant in the coming years. This is due to the growing number of companies in the region’s global autonomous aircraft market, which are investing more in R&D operations. These activities can drive robust technological advancement and are likely to lead to global autonomous aircraft market growth.

Key Factors Impacting Market Growth:

  • Increasing use of automation systems across various industries
  • Increasing efficiency and inhibition of error rates due to the use of autonomous systems
  • The high initial cost of investment

Key Developments:

  • In July 2018, Northrop Grumman received a contract from the US Air Force to deliver Global Hawk, an autonomous aircraft equipped with Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN). The BACN acts as a gateway that translates and distributes battlefield information acquired from various sources.
  • In August 2018, Boeing received a contract worth USD 805 million from the US NAVY for the engineering and manufacturing of 4 MQ-25 aerial refueling unmanned aircraft.
  • In 2019, helicopter-maker Sikorsky has shown their intentions to develop a fully autonomous system, primarily for helicopters. This kind of investment by key players in the market is benefiting market growth.
  • In 2019, the U.S. Air Force has put a call for use of unmanned vehicles during transportation or majorly during the searching and rescue operations. These autonomous aircraft or vehicles can carry four people at a time, which is equipped with medical care.
  • In February 2018, AeroVironment received a contract from the Canadian Navy for the supply of Puma II AE, a UAS equipped with a Mantis i45 sensor and a 360-degree antenna system.

Regional Outlook: 

The global autonomous aircraft market by region has been segmented by North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Rest of the World. The rest of the World includes South America and Africa. North America and the European region have been traditional regions for the aerospace & defense sector with the presence of major manufacturers and high market demand. In addition to this, these regions have been aggressive in terms of technological developments and research. This is one of the key factors governing the demand for autonomous aircraft markets during the forecast period. Major countries in these regions include the US, France, UK, Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada, and So on. This sector is one of the key contributors to the economies in the region. The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region with increasing expenditure on defense and space research. With the presence of some of the fastest-growing economies including India and China, this region is projected to be a major market for autonomous aircraft during the forecast period. Other key countries in the region include South Korea, Japan, and Australia. The Middle East region promises a high potential demand for composites in the autonomous aircraft market during the forecast period. Major countries in this region include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, and others. The rest of the World is an emerging market for autonomous aircraft with demand from countries including South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria, and others during the forecast period.

Companies Covered: Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Elbit Systems.

Years Covered in the Study:

Historical Year: 2019, 2020, 2021

Base Year: 2022

Estimated Year: 2023

Forecast Year: 2023-2032

Market Segmentation:

By Technology:

  • Increasingly Autonomous
  • Fully Autonomous

By Component:

  • Cameras
  • Software
  • Intelligent Servos
  • Air Data Inertial Reference Units
  • Flight Management Computers
  • Radars & Transponders
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Actuation System

By Application:

  • Commercial
  • Combat & ISR
  • Cargo Passenger
  • Air Vehicle
  • Personal Air Vehicle
  • Air Medical Services

By Region:

  • North America
    • US
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • Russia
    • UK
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Rest of Europe 
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Rest of Asia Pacific 
  • Middle East & Africa
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Qatar
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Colombia
    • Rest of South America

Reasons To Buy This Report:

  • Market size estimation of the global autonomous aircraft market on a regional and global basis
  • The unique research design for market size estimation and forecast
  • Profiling of major companies operating in the market with key developments
  • Broad scope to cover all the possible segments helping every stakeholder in the market

Customization:

We provide customization of the study to meet specific requirements:

  • By Segment
  • By Sub-segment
  • By Region/Country

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